Forty-seven countries have yet to lift their travel advisories against traveling to Taiwan despite the World Health Organization's (WHO) decision on Tuesday to lift its warning against travel to Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.
In its updated list of SARS-related travel restrictions against Taiwan's passport holders, the ministry said 13 countries are still advising their nationals not to travel to Taiwan.
Another 13 countries suggested that their nationals defer any trips to Taiwan, while 21 states are advising their nationals to postpone non-essential trips, the ministry said.
The UK is among the very few countries to lift its travel warning against Taiwan in light of the WHO's decision on Tuesday.
Japan has dropped a similar warning, while cautioning its nationals to pay attention while traveling in Taiwan, the ministry said.
Canada has downgraded its advisory to a lighter one, by advising Canadian citizens to defer non-essential trips, the ministry said.
Although 34 countries have maintained various entry restrictions on Taiwanese nationals, the Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei has resumed the issuance of visas since June 11 to Taiwan passport holders intending to make business and official trips to the country, the ministry said.
The Jordanian Commercial Office in Taipei has resumed the issuance of visas since mid-May although it has still suspended the issuance of work permits, the ministry said.
Nationals intending to visit Palau should note that the country has maintained its ban on travelers who have visited SARS-affected areas during the past 14 days, the ministry said.
Malaysia requires work-permit holders and student-visa holders from Taiwan to go into quarantine, while requesting visa applicants to present SARS-free health certificates when applying for a visa, the ministry said.
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